Rural Health
News by Topic: Health insurance
Aug 26, 2026 - Highlights the agenda for MedPAC meetings in 2026-2027. Topics to be discussed include Medicare Part D spending, the enrollment process, quality measurement and value-based payment programs, cost-sharing liability for Rural Health Clinics, the impact of converting a hospital to Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) status, reimbursement rates including for REHs, and Medicare Advantage (MA). Offers recommendations for engaging with the group and information on scheduled publications.
Source: MedPAC News
CMS: Medicaid Program: Prohibition on Federal Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program Funding for Sex-Rejecting Procedures Furnished to Children
Federal Register
Aug 13, 2026 - Notice of a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) prohibiting the use of Medicaid funds for procedures identified as gender-affirming care for children under 18. Additionally, the rule prohibits the use of federal Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funds for procedures identified as gender-affirming care for children under 19. This rule is effective October 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 13, 2026 - Advisory notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services to alert certain clinicians who are Qualifying APM
participants (QPs) and have earned an Alternative Payment
Model (APM) Incentive Payment that CMS does not have the
current information needed to disburse the payment.
Provides information to QPs on how to update their Medicare
billing information so that CMS can disburse payments. All
information should be sent to CMS by October 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Federal Register
Aug 12, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is requesting comments on an information collection titled "Electronic Funds Transfer Authorization Agreement" regarding electronic collection and verification of payment information for Medicare providers/suppliers. Comments are due October 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
CMS: Medicare Program: Regulatory Alignment for Predictable and Immediate Device Coverage Pathway
Federal Register
Aug 11, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requesting comments on the process used to accelerate Medicare coverage through the Regulatory Alignment for Predictable and Immediate Device (RAPID) coverage pathway for new technologies. The RAPID coverage pathway will provide accelerated Medicare beneficiary access to certain eligible Class II and Class III Food and Drug Administration Breakthrough-designated Devices. Comments are due October 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register